Family histories with citations for reference and research -- Searching: note that there may be multiple spellings from different sources. -- "It is a revered thing to see an ancient castle not in decay; how much more to behold an ancient family which has stood against the waves and weathers of time!" - Francis Bacon.

1364-65, Particulars of the account of John de Clifton of mariners wages. (S) UKNA.

2/1367, IPM … Adam de Clyfton, the elder, knight [grandfather of John], … John son of Constantine de Clyfton de Clyfton, his kinsman, age 18 at St. Peter’s Chains last, is his heir. (S) CIsPM.

4/4/1367 at Boston, Margaret Late the Wife of Robert De Ufford, Earl of Suffolk … her dower of the tenememts formerly belonging to Thomas Kayly, knight, sometime her husband, with reversion to John son of Constantine de Clyfton, kinsman and heir of Adam de Clyfton, a minor in the king’s wardship.

11/23/1369, Grant, during pleasure, to John de Clyfton of the office of the marshalsea of the Exchequer, taking in that office the usual fees. (S) CPRs.

5/29/1370, To James Treverbien, clerk, and John de Clyfton. In money delivered to them, for payment of the seamen’s wages payable at Dartmouth and Plymouth, going fo the passage of Walter Huet and his men to Gascony, by general writ of Privy Seal. (S) Issue Roll of Thomas de Brantingham, Bishop of Exeter, Lord High Treasurer.

2/2/1371, Commission to … to buy 500 quarters of wheat in the said county … to be by them taken thence to Calais … and arrest and commit to prison until further order all who ar contrariant in the matter … John de Clyfton … in the county of Sussex … (S) CPRs.

1371-72, Expenses of John de Clifton, sent to Sandwich in the company of Thomas de Orgrave to make scrutiny of money and merchandise of divers merchants of Navarre and Spain. (S) UKNA.

John married to Elizabeth, reuniting her part of Buckenham.

10/27/1374, John, son and heir of Constantine de Clifton and Katherine his wife: Essex (proof of age) had livery of his lands. (S) UKNA.

1375, John succeeded his father.

5/7/1376, John witnessed a grant of Richard le Skynner of Frodesham.

1376-1388, John summoned to parliament.

12/1/1376, John created 1st Lord Clifton by writ. (S) The Manors of Suffolk, 1910.

7/13/1377, Richard II, age 10, crowned king of England.

8/4/1377, Lord John de Clifton summoned to the 1st parliament of Richard II.

1377, John de Clyfton to settle the monors of Tpoercroft, Denton, Babingley, and Wolverton on himself, Elizabeth his wife, and his heirs, retaining the manors … (S) Lists and Indexes, V22, P600.

10/22/1380, Licence, fro 20£ … by John de Clyfton, knight, for him to grant the castle and manor of Bokenham and the manor of Babbynglee … to Ralph de Crumwell, … to enfeoff the said John de Clyfton and Elizabeth his wife, … (S) CPRs.

1381-82, Appointment by John de Clifton of William de Snetisham as his attorney against Richard, Earl of Arundel. (S) UKNA.

4/30/1384, “Debtor: Agnes, the widow of Robert de Cromwell, knight [of Carlton, Thurgarton and Lythe Wapentake, Notts]. Creditor: John de Clifton, knight [held fee in Babingley and Sandringham, Freebridge Hundred, Norfolk, and a fee in Fundenhall, Depwade Hundred, and a fee in Cley, South Greenhoe Hundred]. Amount: £30.” (S) UKNA.

John sold/mortgaged Little Waltham to Richard de Waltham and Margaret his wife. [Likely to finance his travel to Rhodes.]

By 8/10/1388, John, knt. of Buckenham castle, Babingley, Denton, Hilborough, West Bradenham, Norfolk, died at Rhodes. [Also of Essex, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.]

2/1/1390, Grant … to Ralph Cromwell, knight, and Elizabeth late the wife of John de Clyfton, … and from divers lands in Boston, co. Lincoln, late of the said John de Clyfton, … (S) CPRs.